newsmakers

New York’s Times Square is getting a little bit Jersey for New Year’s Eve.

MTV says “Jersey Shore” stars Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi and Jenni “JWOWW” Farley and comedian Jeff Dye will host the network’s live New Year’s Eve special from Times Square.

“MTV’s Club NYE 2013” also will feature performances from Ke$ha, Ne-Yo, Sean Kingston, Rita Ora and others. Ke$ha described the final night of the year as a time when people come together to celebrate “in a sweaty, drunken, dance-fueled orgy of bliss.”

Polizzi said she is hoping to use “a leopard bedazzled microphone” for her hosting duties.

The special is set to air at 11 p.m. Dec. 31.

Actor, musicians to lead parade

NEW ORLEANS

Actor Gary Sinise and New Orleans musicians Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews and Harry Connick Jr. will lead the parade of the Krewe of Orpheus on the evening of Lundi Gras, the day before Fat Tuesday. They also will perform at the glitzy ball that follows.

The celebrity riders were announced Thursday at Mardi Gras World, where many Carnival floats are built.

Orpheus marks its 20th anniversary when it parades Feb. 11.

The Krewe was co-founded in 1993 by Connick and Sonny Borey, the Krewe’s captain. It has about 1,200 members and is known for attracting celebrities.

Connick will perform an original song he wrote for the anniversary, called “Smokey Mary Boogie Woogie Choo Choo.” The song will be on Connick’s upcoming album of Carnival music.

Metallica’s music available on Spotify

NEW YORK

Metallica is bringing its all-out assault to Spotify.

The company announced the move Thursday during a presentation to debut new features in New York.

Metallica previously had declined to stream its music. Fans can now access 30 years of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band’s recordings.

The move is significant for the band. Metallica was among several acts who sued Napster in 2000, eventually forcing a settlement that required Napster to evolve into a pay-for-use service that became something of a model for today’s streaming companies.

Drummer Lars Ulrich said in a news release that the band has waited a long time to see how the music-streaming-service model would evolve and is “beyond psyched to unleash our music through” Spotify.